HF mobile operation

[Glenn Allen]

Glenn Allen
KF4MZQ
Marietta, GA
1986 PT40
--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Donald Watson" wrote:
>
> Congratulations as well on the upgrade!
>
> Loading HF while in motion can be interesting with a lot of variables.
> Years ago I ran HF from a Peterbilt tractor while hauling steel with a
> flatbed. I used a Hustler mast with separate loading coils for each band.
> When in motion, the wind would push the heavy spring mounted mast back at a
> 30 degree angle from the sleeper. Surprisingly, it worked and I would run
> 40 meter cw at night on long stretches of highway.
>
> The newer automatic antenna tuners are reasonably priced and work extremely
> well. I use two tuners in a marine installation, but plan to install one in
> my bus. As Marv mentioned, an antenna mount and vertical antenna attached
> to the goat rail would be an excellent choice for stationary use only due to
> the height. In this application, a steel ¼ wave 108" CB antenna works well.
> The screwdriver antenna Marv mentions does not require an antenna tuner, but
> rather a close watch on a thru-line wattmeter to insure that the antenna is
> manually tuned properly.
>
> I have considered a horizontal long wire on top of the bus, supported by
> several inch long spring loaded non-metallic stubs, but this is far from
> ideal because of the close proximity to the metal coach roof and goat rail.
> If you wanted to operate while moving, you certainly could attach a vertical
> to a trailer hitch. If you plan on using an automatic tuner, it would be
> best to mount the tuner as close to the antenna and feed it with either
> GTO-15 high voltage wire or non-grounded RG213, RG-8 or 8X.
>
> This past year, I have logged eleven Wanderlodge hams in a spreadsheet,
> amateurs discovered via QST or Wanderlodge related forums. If anyone would
> like to share and update this list, please email me.
>
> Donn
> KW2G
> 76FC33
> South Kingstown, RI
> dwatson(at)oceaninlay(dot)com
>
> PS: I once knew a W1JTB
>
>
> From: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> [mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of mrkane1952
> Sent: Friday, June 13, 2008 9:38 PM
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] HF mobile operation
>
> Greetings:
>
> I recently upgraded my amateur radio license to Extra: Anybody
> operating HF mobile from their coach? Any tips about antennas or other
> issues such as conductive body panels?
>
> Thanks--
>
> M.R.Kane
> KB1JTB
> 1985 PT40
> currently Sanger, TX
> _,_._,___
>

[Ryan Wright]

On Sun, Jun 15, 2008 at 8:21 AM, mrkane1952 <mrkane@...> wrote:
> That rules out mobile operations from a BB due to the resulting
> excessive overall height.

Well.... maybe not. Just depends on how crazy you want to get. A
tilting mast, deployed on the freeway, with forward-looking radar
array to automatically retract if it sees a bridge ahead....
break-away antenna design in case the automated system fails.... What
could possibly go wrong?! ;-)

-Ryan
'86 PT-40 8V92

[krminyl@...]

Donn,

I'm not sure if it was the Wanderlodge Forum, or another Wanderlodge group, but someone already put together a ham database with all BB owners that are hams. Look in the files section to see if it is still there...I think we had something like 30 or so....

Good luck....and have a great 4th also...unfortunately, I have to work.

Kevin

N6PSY (wife N6TVX, daughter KDHRC, son KD6MJC)

---

Gas prices getting you down? Search AOL Autos for fuel-efficient used cars.

[Donald Watson]

Kevin,

I missed this post of yours and wanted to acknowledge your call sign. I
have about fifteen entries of amateur licensed Wanderlodge owners. Sometime
soon, I'll verify what I have via the FCC data base and ask those included
if they don't mind having the list shared.

Enjoy your 4th.

73,

Donn, KW2G
76 FC33
South Kingstown, RI



From: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of krminyl@...
Sent: Sunday, June 15, 2008 8:13 AM
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] HF mobile operation


Donn,

Add another.....

N6PSY (Amateur Extrra)

Kevin McKeown
Yorba Linda, CA
1986 38' PT

[Dorn Hetzel]

I let my license expire ages ago when I went off to college and discovered computers.

Previously WD4FDJ and then KB4EQ (circa 1976)

I struggled to get my code up for that advanced. Now that code is gone, maybe I should stop being so lazy and get my ticket back.


Of course, I'm not sure I would find much of anyone on 160 meter CW anymore

Dorn
77FC35
Hogansville, GA

On Thu, Jul 3, 2008 at 9:27 AM, <"krminyl@aol.com"> wrote:

Donn,

I'm not sure if it was the Wanderlodge Forum, or another Wanderlodge group, but someone already put together a ham database with all BB owners that are hams. Look in the files section to see if it is still there...I think we had something like 30 or so....

Good luck....and have a great 4th also...unfortunately, I have to work.

Kevin

N6PSY (wife N6TVX, daughter KDHRC, son KD6MJC)

---

Gas prices getting you down? Search AOL Autos for fuel-efficient used cars.

[Donald Watson]

Dorn,

There still is quite a bit of 160 meter cw. I just participated in a local
ARES group's endeavor in Field Day. It was the first time I had been
involved in either Field Day or a contest and it actually was a blast. As
far as getting the license back, it should be quite easy for you. Check out
the ARRL site and look for a local club sponsoring exams. Go for it!

I just noticed Kevin's post about the 30 or so amateur radio operator
Wanderlodge owners. Thank you, Kevin! I'll search for it.

Dorn, don't feel bad about letting your license lapse. I once drove 100,000
miles a year hauling steel out of southeastern PA, primarily throughout the
northeast. After a few career changes including a stint as radio operator
aboard a US merchant vessel, I found myself in Rhode Island in the early
90's, working on yachts and commercial vessels and had no interest in
driving. I had the opportunity to take an open book exam to obtain a CDL
and I paid it no attention. Now I've got to pass a road test in Rhode
Island where my 48' trailer hooked up to a long wheelbase conventional
tandem tractor has to be parallel parked on both driver's side and
passenger's side in a space I believe separated by two feet either side of
the trailer and four feet fore and aft without hitting the cones. I'd
rather take the amateur test over again.

73,

Donn
'76 FC33
South Kingstown, RI



From: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Dorn Hetzel
Sent: Thursday, July 03, 2008 9:37 AM
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] HF mobile operation

I let my license expire ages ago when I went off to college and discovered
computers.

Previously WD4FDJ and then KB4EQ (circa 1976)

I struggled to get my code up for that advanced. Now that code is gone,
maybe I should stop being so lazy and get my ticket back.

Of course, I'm not sure I would find much of anyone on 160 meter CW anymore


Dorn
77FC35
Hogansville, GA
On Thu, Jul 3, 2008 at 9:27 AM, wrote:
Donn,

I'm not sure if it was the Wanderlodge Forum, or another Wanderlodge group,
but someone already put together a ham database with all BB owners that are
hams. Look in the files section to see if it is still there...I think we
had something like 30 or so....

Good luck....and have a great 4th also...unfortunately, I have to work.

Kevin
N6PSY (wife N6TVX, daughter KDHRC, son KD6MJC)